A release date for the third and final series of Happy Valley has been confirmed which means we can all start getting excited. Watch the teaser below:
The BAFTA-winning hit drama starring Sarah Lancashire will be back on our screens a lot sooner than you think.
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It was confirmed previously that the third and final series would arrive as part of the BBC’s Christmas and New Year’s programming and now we have an official date.
The BBC has confirmed the six-episode third series will begin airing on New Year’s Day, giving its legion of fans another prezzie to look forward to at the start of 2023.
Series three begins with Sergeant Catherine Cawood (Lancashire) discovering the remains of a gangland murder victim in a drained reservoir, which sparks a chain of events leading her straight back to serial rapist, drug offender and triple murderer Tommy Lee Royce (James Norton).
Catherine’s grandson Ryan (Rhys Connah) is now sixteen and he now wants to pursue a relationship with his father, the same man she refuses to acknowledge. This awkward situation leaves Catherine’s sister Clare (Siobhan Finneran) caught in the middle.
Happy Valley’s imminent return also means fans will have to bid farewell to the critically acclaimed show very soon.
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The show debut in April 2014 and returned for a second series two years later in 2016, with series two attracting an average audience of 9.3 million.
The first two series each won the BAFTA Television awards for both Drama Series and Writing: Drama for Sally Wainwright, with Sarah Lancashire winning the Bafta Television award for Leading Actress for series two.
Audiences have waited years hoping that the show would return.
Filming for the third season of Happy Valley took place throughout the year in and around West Yorkshire starting in January.
Happy Valley creator Wainwright said she was 'delighted' to be back working on the show and bringing all three seasons to an end.
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She said it had been 'wonderful to see the lasting impact this series has had on audiences all over the world' and spoke of how 'thrilled' to have the major cast members back for the 'best season yet'.
Sarah said it was 'time to let the dog see the rabbit', while James spoke about the 'wonderful and daunting' privilege of getting to play the cruel criminal Tommy one final time.
Happy Valley begins 9pm on Sunday 1 January 2023, New Year’s Day, on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
Featured Image Credit: BBCTopics: TV And Film, BBC